Advertising device



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2,906,046 ADvnRrrsiNn nevica' Joseph Ross Graves, Lomita, Calif.

Application January 27, 1958, Serial Ne. 711,394 11 Claims. (m4n-33) This invention relates to an advertising device and is more particularly concerned with such a device'in the form of an attachment applicable to a standard fluorescent lighting fixture.

The ordinary standard or conventional fluorescent lighting fixture involves generally, an elongate, box-like body having flat, lhorizontally disposed top and bottom Walls and flat, vertically disposed side and end walls, a pair of longitudinally spaced, post-like fluorescent tube sockets projecting upwardly from the top wall of the body and a fluorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the posts. In practice, the tube extends parallel with the top wall of the body and as a general rule is spaced above the body approximately Va of an inch.

An object of the present invention is to provide an advertising device applicable to a standard fluorescent lighting fixture of the character referred to and including a rotating cylinder engaged about the fluorescent tube and adapted to carry advertising material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character referred to having supports for rotatably supporting the cylinder about the fluorescent lighting tube, 'which supports can be advantageously engaged on and fixed to the body of the fixture at any point along its longitudinal extent and so as to support a cylinder of any desired length.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an advertising device of the character referred to having an electric drive that continuously rotates the cylinder about the lighting tube at a steady, predetermined rate.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the character referred to which involves a minimum number of parts, each of which is both easy and economical of manufacture, a device which is easy `and quick to assemble and install, and a device which is both highly effective and dependable in operation.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the device provided by the present invention and showing it applied to a standard fluorescent light fixture;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional View of the construction illustrated in Fig. l and taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l and taken as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3 and taken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 5 is a plan elevational view similar to Fig. 4 and showing a slightly modified form of the present invention.

The advertising device A provided by the present invention is shown applied to conventional fluorescent lighting fixture B, which fixture is `showin involving an elongate, box-like body 1h having flat, horizontally disposed top and bottom walls 11 and 12, flat, vertically disposed attent Ito `a fixture whereinthe starter projects` through Athetop ICC 2 side and end walls 13 and 14, a pair of longitudinally spaced fluorescent lighting sockets or posts 15 projecting upwardly from the top wall 11 of the body at the opposite end portions thereof, and an elongate fluorescent tube 16 engaged in and extending between the post-like sockets 15. v

The body 10 of the fixture A is-Suitably fabricated of sheet metal and the sockets 15 are secured t0 the top wall 10 of the body by a pair of screw fasteners 1.7, which fasteners occur along the central longitudinal axis of the body,.at opposite sides of the sockets and are engaged through the top wall 11 of the body from the top surface thereof.

In addition to the above and in accordance with riormal construction, a suitable cylindrically shaped starter 18 is engaged through a suitable opening in the top wall 11 of the body and projects a short distance above the said top wall to facilitate engagement thereof as for the purpose of removal and replacement. The starter l is positioned inwardly of thesocket 15 at one end of the body and like the fasteners 16, occurs along the central longitudinal axis of the body, withthe result that it occurs directly below one end portion of the tube 16.

In practice, in certain standard fluorescent fixtures, the starter is positioned to project from one side or end of the body.

The advertising device A that I provide is shown as including, generally, a pair of` longitudinally spaced brackets 20, an elongate cylinder 21 extending between the brackets 20, a plurality of support rollers ZZ carried by the brackets and rotatably supporting the opposing ends of the cylinder 21, and a drive means 23 carried by one of the vbrackets 20 and rotating the cylinder.

The brackets 20 are alike and each is shown as involving a flat, substantially rectangular, horizontally disposed base 25 having straight, laterally disposed inner and outer ends 26 and 27 and straight, longitudinally disposed side edges 28, and a flat, vertically disposed, upwardly convergent, triangular end plate 29 projecting upwardly from the inner end of the base 25.

The base 25 of each bracket 20 is adapted to be secured to the top wall 11 of the fixture body 10 at one end thereof and is provided with a central, substantially rectangular aperture 30 adapted to freely receive the socket l15 of the fixture B related thereto and a pair of central longitudinally spaced openings 31 occurring at opposite sides of the aperture 30 and adapted to receive the fixture fasteners 17 provided to secure the sockets to the body.

' In addition to the above, the base 25 of each bracket 2i)` .is further provided with an annular opening 32 spaced inwardly of the socket receiving laperture 30 and adapted to freely receive the upwardly projecting portion of the fixture starter 18 related thereto.

In the preferred carrying out of the invention, the openings 31 are slotted or elongated longitudinally of the construction to facilitate limited longitudinal adjustment of the brackets relative to the fixture body 1f) and the fixture sockets 15 related thereto.

With the above relationship of parts, it will be apparent that the base 25 of the brackets 30, occurring at each end lof thefixture 10, can be easily conveniently engaged about the sockets15 related thereto, to establish flat, bearing engagement on the top wall -11 thereof and that the screw fasteners .17 adapted to secure the sockets 15 in the body can be engaged through the openingsr 31 in the bases 25 ,and serve to hold the brackets in fixed position on the body. K

With the above relationship ofpparts, it will also be apparent that when the device that I provide is related n Y 3 wall of the body, the opening 32 in the base related to the starter, freely receives the starter and allows for flat, bearing engagement of the base plate on the top wall 11 of the body, as well as vfor ready accessibility of the starter.

In practice, it is preferred that the base 25 of each bracket be provided with a pair of laterally spaced openings 33 at the opposite sides of the base and adapted to receive suitable screw fasteners 34 when additional means for securing the brackets to the fixture body 10 is necessary.

In practice, when the device is related to a lighting fixture where the starter is provided at one end or side wall of the body, the bases of the end brackets 20 can be formed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, in which a starter receiving opening is not provided.

The triangular end plates 29 of the brackets 20 are integrally joined to and project upwardly from the inner ends 26 of the base plate. The end plates 29 are shown as being slightly greater in lateral extent than the bases and are provided with axially aligned apertures 35 adapted to freely receive the fluorescent tubes 16 of the iixture to which the device is related. The three corners of the end plates, that is, the top or apex corners 36 and the two base corners 37 are provided with openings 38 adapted to receive and support the supporting rollers 22 in a manner that will hereinafter be described.

The rotating cylinder 21 is a simple, open-ended, thinwalled, sleeve-like member of considerable diametric extent and is of such longitudinal extent as to occur between the end brackets 20 of the apparatus with working or running clearance.

In practice, the cylinder 21 can be made of transparent or translucent glass or plastic material and is adapted to carry advertising material. The advertising material can be in the nature of a transparent or translucent sheet of paper or plastic material having advertising printed, painted or otherwise applied thereto and engaged about the interior or about the exterior of the cylinder as circumstances require, or as desired.

In the drawings, I have shown an advertising sheet 39 engaged in the cylinder 21, which sheet is adapted to have advertising material applied thereto.

The cylinder 21 is engaged between the end brackets 20 and around the fluorescent tubes 16 of the fixture B so that the lower portion thereof occurs freely between the tube 16 and the top wall 11 of the fixture body and so that the tube extends freely through the cylinder in a manner to illustrate the sheet of advertising material 39 engaged therein.

The supporting rollers 22 are simple rollers mounted at the three corners of the end plates 29' to occur in spaced relationship about and to rotatably support the Vadjacent end portions of the cylinder 21.

Each roller 22 is shown as a simple, annular member formed of rubber or some other suitable material and is shown rotatably supported on and mounted to the end plate 29 by means of a mounting shaft 40 having a reduced inner end portion 41 projecting through the roller and a reduced externally threaded outer end portion 42 projecting through one of the openings 38 in the end plate and secured thereto by means of a nut 43.v The rollers are maintained engaged on the reduced inner end portions 41 of the shafts 40 by means of suitable snap rings 44 which are engaged in annular grooves provided in the outer terminal ends of said inner reduced portions.

In the preferred carrying out of the invention, one or more of the openings 38 in each end plate 29 is elongated or slot-like and the roller supporting post 40 related thereto is secured to the plate by means of a wing nut 42. `With thisrelationship of parts, it will be apparent that the roller or rollers 22 related to the slotlike openings in the end plates 29 can be easily and conveniently shifted relative to the other elements and 4 to the cylinder 24 in a manner to assure proper engagement of the rollers about the cylinder, and proper alignment of the cylinder relative to the body 10 and the tube 16 of the fixture A.

In the preferred carrying out of the invention, and as illustrated throughout the drawings, one or more thrust rollers 50 are provided on each end plate 29 to engage the opposite ends of the cylinder 21 and to maintain the cylinder in proper longitudinal spaced relationship between the end plates.

ln the case illustrated, the thrust rollers 50 are simple, disc-shaped rollers and are rotatably carried by the end plates 29 by suitable axle pins 51 fixed -to inwardly turned tabs or ears 52 formed along the side edges of the end plates.

In situations where the iixture B is to be arranged in a horizontal position, one thrust roller 50 on each end plate 29, as illustrated in the drawings, is all that is required. In situations where the fixture A is to be arranged in a Vertical position, it may be desirable to provide two or three thrust rollers Sil.

The drive means 23 adapted to rotate the cylinder 21 is shown as including an electric motor 60 having a drive shaft 61 and `a rubber drive roller 62 on the drive shaft and establishing driving engagement with the cylinder 21. In the preferred carrying out of the invention, the drive means 23 is substituted for one of the cylinder supporting rollers 22. In the case illustrated, the electric motor 60 is secured to one of the lower or base corners of one of the end plates 29 of the device by means of suitable bolt-type fasteners 64 and so that it projects longitudinally outwardly therefrom. The drive shaft 619 of the motor projects inwardly through the opening 33 provided in the adjacent corner of the end plate 29 and terminates at a point spaced radially offset from the adjacent end portion of the cylinder 21. The rubber rollers 62 carried by the drive shaft 61 of the drive means is engaged on the inner end portion of the shaft and establishes driving bearing engagement with the said adjacent end portion of the cylinder 21 and rotates the cylinder 21 between the several supporting rollers 22 of the device and about the iuorescent tubes 16.

In the preferred carrying out of the invention and to (facilitate removal and replacement of the fluorescent tube 16 and to facilitate removal of the cylinder 21 for the purpose of cleaning and changing the advertising material 39 therein, the aperture 35 in the end plate 29 of at least one of the brackets 2G is large enough or so shaped that when the tube is rotated and shifted out of engagement with the sockets 15, the tube can be easily and conveniently withdrawn from engagement in the cylinder. In Fig. l of the drawings I have shown the aperture 35' in the end bracket 2t) at the left end of the device being elongated to facilitate removal of the tube 16 from that end of the device.

It is to be understood that when a short cylinder 21 is employed, the bases 25 of one or both of the supporting brackets 22 can be spaced longitudinally inward of the sockets 15, in which case the apertures and openings 30 and 32 in the bases of the brackets perform no particular function and could, if desired, be dispensed with entirely.

In practice, if desired, a suitable light reilecting means can be provided to better illuminate the interior of the cylinder 21 and the advertising material carried thereby and/ or provide a suitable background for the said advertising material.

In the form of the invention illustrated, I have shown a light reilecting means for the purpose set forth above, which means includes an elongate strip 70 of light reflecting material extending longitudinally through the cylinder 21 adjacent one side of the fluorescent light tube 16 and projecting upwardly therefrom. The opposite ends of the strip 70 are shown fixed to the end plates 29 by means of screw fasteners 71 engaged through laterally projecting mounting tabs 72 formed on the ends of the strip 70.

Due to the fact that the electrical circuit of the fixture and due to the tfact that electrical circuit for the drive means can vary widely in practice and does not affect the novelty of the present invention, I have not and will not burden this application with unnecessary and detailed description thereof.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, l do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate box-'like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fluorescent light tube engaged lin and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of oppositely disposed, apertured end brackets fixed to the top wall of the fixture body in longitudinally spaced relationship to each other and freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate advertising cylinder engaged freely about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, an elongate reflector fixed to and extending between the bracket to extend freely through the cylinder adjacent to and spaced from the light tube and circumferentially spaced rollers carried by the bracket and engaging and rotatably supporting the cylinder at its opposite end portions.

2. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate box-like body with a fiat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fluorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of oppositely disposed, apertured end brackets fixed to the top wall `of the fixture body in longitudinally spaced relationship to each other and freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate advertising cylinder engaged about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, circumferentially spaced rollers carried by the brackets and engaging and rotatably supporting the cylinder at its opposite end portions, and drive means carried by one of the brackets and engaging and rotating the cylinder.

3. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fiuorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of like, oppositely disposed, apertfured brackets fixed to the top wall of the body in longitudinally spaced relationship to each other yand freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate advertising cylinder engaged about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, circumferentially spaced rollers carried by the brackets and engaging and rotatably supporting the cylinder at its opposite end portions, and thrust nollers carried by the brackets to engage the ends of the cylinder and maintain the cylinder in position between the brackets.

4. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fluorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of like7 oppositely disposed, apertured brackets fixed to the top wall of the body in longitudinally spaced relationship to each other and freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate transparent advertising cylinder engaged about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, circumferentially spaced supports rollers carried by the brackets and engaging and rotatably supporting the cylinder at its opposite end portions, thrust rollers carried by the brackets to engage the ends of the cylinder and maintain the cylinder in position between the brackets, and drive means carried by one of the brackets to engage the tube and rotating the cylinder.

5. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate, box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fluorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of like, oppositely disposed, apertured brackets fixed to the top wall of the body in longitudinally spaced relationship to eachother and freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate, translucent advertising cylinder engaged about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, and .circumferentially spaced rollers carried by the bracket and engaging and rotatably supporting the cylinder at its opposite end portions, each bracket including a flat, horizontally disposed 4base to engage the top of the body and a fiat, vertically disposed apertured end plate projecting upwardly from the base and through ywhich the light tube freely extends.

6. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate, box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fluorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of like, oppositely disposed, apertured brackets fixed to the top wall of the body in longitudinally spaced relationship to each other and freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate, translucent advertising cylinder engaged about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, and ciroumferentially spaced rollers carried by the bracket and engaging and rotatably supporting the cylinder at its opposite end portions, each bracket including a flat, horizontally disposed base and a flat, vertically disposed end plate projecting upwardly from the base, said base having a central aperture adapted to freely receive the fixture socket related thereto and openings adapted to receive screw fasteners to secure the lbase to the fixture body, each of said end plates having an aperture therein and through which the tube extends.

7. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate, box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like sockets and a fluorescent light tube engaged in and extending between the sockets and spaced above the top of the body including, a pair of like, oppositely disposed, apertured brackets fixed to the top wall of the body in longitudinally spaced relationship to each other and freely receiving the lighting tube, an elongate, transparent advertising cylinder engaged about the lighting tube and extending between the brackets, and circumferentially spaced rollers carried by the bracket and engaging and rotatably supporting the vcylinder at its opposite end portions, drive means carried by one of the brackets and rotating the cylinder, each bracket including a flat, horizontally disposed base and a flat, vertically disposed end plate projecting upwardly from the base, said drive means including, an electric motor carried by the end plate of said one bracket, a drive shaft projecting longitudinally inwardly from said motor and end plate to extend parallel with and spaced from the wall of the cylinder and a drive roller carried by the drive shaft and establishing driving engagement withthe cylinder.

8. An advertising device applicable to a fluorescent lighting fixture having an elongate, box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like fluorescent tube sockets, an elongate fluorescent tube engaged in and extending between the sockets in spaced parallel relationship abovel the top of the bo-dy, anupwardly projecting disc-shaped starter spaced longitudinally inwardly of one of said sockets, and a pair of longitudinally spaced screw fasteners` entering the top of the body adjacent the inner and outer sides of each socket including, a pair of like, longitudinally spaced brackets having flat, horizontally disposed bases with inner and outer ends and flat, vertically disposed end plates projecting upwardly from the inner ends of the bases, each of said bases having a central aperture to freely receive one of said fixture sockets, longitudinally spaced openings occurring at opposite sides of the aperture and adapted to receive the screw fasteners of the iixture and a starter receiving opening spaced inwardly of the aperture and adapted to receive the starter projecting upwardly from the body, said end plate of each bracket having an aperture therein to freely receive the fluorescent light tube, land a plurality of circumferentia-lly spaced roller mounting openings, an elongate, translucent advertising cylinder adapted to be engaged around the lighting tube to extend freely between the tube and the top of the body and between the end plates of the brackets, a pluralitj of circumferentially spaced supporting rollers engaged about the end portions of the cylinder, each support roller being rotatably carried by a mounting shaft shiftably engaged in one of said mounting openings in vthe end plates.

9. An advertising device applicable to a iiuorescent lighting fixture having an elongate box-like body with a fiat, horizontally disposed top wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like fluorescent tube sockets, an elongate fluorescent tube engaged in and extending between the sockets in spaced parallel relationship above the top of the body, an upwardly projecting disc-shaped starter spaced longitudinally inwardly of one of said sockets, and a pair of longitudinally spaced screw fasteners entering the top of the body adjacent the inner and outer sides of each socket including, a pair of like, longitudinally spaced brackets having flat, horizontally disposed bases with inner and outer ends and flat, vertically disposed end plates projecting upwardly from the inner ends of the bases, each of said bases having a central aperture to freely receive one of said xture sockets, longitudinally spaced openings occurring at opposite sides of the aperture and adap-ted to receive the screw fasteners of the fixture and a starter receiving opening spaced inwardly of the aperture and adapted to receive the starter projecting upwardly from the body, said end plate of each bracket having an aperture therein to freely receive the fluorescent light tube, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced roller mounting openings, an elongate translucent advertising cylinder adapted to be engaged around the lighting tube to extend freely between the tube and the top of the body and between the end plates of the brackets, a plurality of circumferentially spaced supporting rollers engaged about the end portions of the cylinder, each support roller being rotatably carried by a mounting shaft shiftably engaged in one of said mounting openings in the end plates, and a drive means carried by one of the brackets and adapted to engage and rotate the cylinder.

l0. An advertising device applicable to a liuorescent lighting fixture having an elongate box-like body with a at, horizontally disposed top wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like fluorescent tube sockets, an elongate uorescent tube engaged in and extending between the sockets in spaced parallel relationship above the top of the body, an upwardly projecting disc-shaped starter spaced longitudinally inwardly of one of said sockets, anda pair of longitudinally spaced screw fasteners entering the top of the body adjacent the inner and outer sides of each socket, including, a pair of like, longitudinally spaced brackets having flat, horizontally disposed bases with inner and outer ends and flat, vertically disposed end plates projecting upwardly from the inner ends of the bases, each of said bases having a central aperture to freely receive one of said fixture 8 sockets, longitudinally spaced openings occurring at opposite sides of the aperture and adapted to receive the screw fasteners of the ixture and a starter receiving opening spaced inwardly of the aperture and adapted to receive the starter projecting upwardly from the body, Said end plate of each bracket having an aperture therein to Yfreely receive the fluorescent light tube, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced roller mounting openings, an

elongate, translucent advertising cylinder adapted to be engaged around the lighting tube to extend freely between the tube and the top of the body and between the end plates of the brackets, a plurality of circumferentially spaced supporting rollers engaged about the end portions of the cylinder, each support roller being rotatably carried by a mounting shaft shiftably engaged in one of said mounting openings in the end plates, a thrust roller rotatably carried by each end plate to engage the adjacent end of the cylinder and to maintain it in proper longitudinalH spaced relationship between the end plates, and a drive means carried by one of the brackets and adapted to engage and rotate the cylinder.

1l. An advertising device applicable to a uorescent lighting xture having an elongate, box-like body with a flat, horizontally disposed top wall, a pair of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting post-like fluorescent ltube sockets, an elongate uorescent tube engaged in and extending between the sockets in spaced parallel relationship above the top of the lbody, an upwardly projecting disc-shaped starter spaced longitudinally inwardly of one of said sockets, and a pair of longitudinally spaced screw fasteners entering the top of the body adjacent 'the inner and outer sides of each socket including, a pair of like, longitudinally spaced brackets having at, horizontally disposed bases with inner and outer ends and at, vertically disposed end plates projecting upwardly from the inner ends of the bases, each of said bases having a central aperture to freely receive one of said xture sockets, longitudinally spaced openings occurring at opposite sides of the aperture and adapted to receive the screw fasteners of the fixture and a starter receiving opening spaced inwardly of the aperture and adapted to receive the starter projecting upwardly from the body, said end plate of each bracket having an aperture therein to freely receive the fluorescent light tube, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced roller mounting openings, an elongate translucent advertising cylinder adapted to be engaged around the lighting tube to extend freely between the tube and the top of the body and between the end plates of the brackets, a plurality of circumferentially spaced supporting rollers engaged about the end portions of the cylinder, each support roller being rotatably carried by a mounting shaft shiftably engaged in one of said mounting openings in the end plates, a thrust roller rotatably carried by each end plate to engage the adjacent end of the cylinder and to maintain it in proper longitudinal spaced relationship between the end' plates, and a drive means carried by one of the brackets and adapted to engage and rotate the cylinder, said drive means including, an electric motor carried by the end plate of said one bracket, a drive shaft projecting longitudinally inwardly from said motor and end plate to extend parallel with and spaced from the wall of the cylinder and a drive roller carried by the drive shaft and establishing driving engagement with the cylinder.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,590 Buckley Apr. 30, 1940 2,374,640' Y' Paul Apr. 24, 1945 2,443,510 McCallumV ..V u r June 15, 1948 2,493,829 Paul Jan.,10, 1950 2,567,403 Rockola Sept. 11, 1951 

